BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 1804
88R24538 JG-F	By: Springer
	Local Government
	5/2/2023
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The current definition of "homelessness" in Texas is limited to people on the streets or staying in shelters, which excludes those who are forced to live in other temporary, homeless situations. This definition further excludes families, children, and youth disproportionately. With city shelters being full and rural shelters being sparce, families are forced to turn to various other situations that are less safe.

Some claim that the state does not have the funds to meet the needs of the homeless population and expanding the definition would only exascerbate the problem. Expanding the definition will serve to help state agencies redesign program eligibilities that best meet the need of all people who are homeless. This bill intends to change the definition of homelessness found in the Texas Government Code to match the definition that has been in federal statute since 1987.

(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.S.B. 1804 amends current law relating to the definitions of homeless, homelessness, and variations of those terms.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 531.001, Government Code, by adding Subdivision (9), as follows:

(9) Provides that "homeless," "homelessness," and variations of those terms used in reference to the housing status of a person mean a person lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and include:

(A) a person described by 42 U.S.C. Section 11302(a), as that section existed on January 1, 2023;

(B) homeless children and youths described by 42 U.S.C. Section 11434a, as that section existed on January 1, 2023; and

(C) family members of homeless children and youths described by Paragraph (B).

SECTION 2. Amends Section 539.001, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 539.001. New heading: DEFINITIONS. Provides that, in Chapter 539 (Community Collaboratives):

(1) creates this subdivision from existing text and makes a nonsubstantive change.

(2) "homeless," "homelessness," and variations of those terms used in reference to the housing status of a person have the meanings assigned by Section 531.001.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 2306.004, Government Code, by adding Subdivision (12-b) to provide that "homeless," "homelessness," and variations of those terms used in reference to the housing status of a person have the meanings assigned by Section 531.001.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2023.